Man charged in Groton bank robbery already serving prison time

Published November 29. 2013 5:00PM | Updated November 29. 2013 5:33PM

Groton – Town police this week arrested the suspect in a Sept. 25 armed bank robbery who, court records show, started serving a 7-year prison sentence on an unrelated sexual assault charge two days after the robbery.

Sheldon Schuler, 39, was charged Wednesday with second-degree robbery and third-degree larceny for allegedly robbing the Citizens Bank branch at 816 Long Hill Road. Police say on the afternoon of Sept. 25, Schuler entered the bank, threatened the teller and then fled with an undisclosed amount of money.

He was arraigned on Wednesday and brought back to prison, according to a statement released Friday by Groton Town Police Detective Lt. John W. Varone.

Schuler was convicted on Sept. 27 of second-degree assault on a physically helpless victim and sentenced to 10 years, suspended after 7 years served, and 15 years of probation, court records show. The case stemmed from an arrest in New Haven on Jan. 28, 2012.

Following the Groton bank robbery, Schuler’s image was captured on video and disseminated to the public through the press and social media, Varone said. Varone said the department received numerous calls, texts, and e-mails from people who identified him.

"We want to thank the public and the community for their support and assistance in bringing this case to a successful closure," Varone said in the statement.